BSN nurses may assist surgeons in the operating room.
Registered nurses represent the largest profession in the health care industry, with approximately 2.58 million positions in the United States as of May 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Candidates can qualify for state licensure as a registered nurse by completing one of three educational paths, including a three-year diploma program, a two-year associate's degree in nursing, or a traditional four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program, and by passing the required National Council Licensure Examination.
Experience
Wages for registered nurses who held a BSN degree were significantly impacted by experience. Median starting salaries for registered nurses with a BSN were $48,681 as of March 2011, according to PayScale.com. Those with more than five years on the job earned a median annual wage of $65,346. Registered nurses with a BSN degree who had more than 20 years experience earned a median annual income of more than $72,000.
Geographic Location
The geographic region where registered nurses practice can play a significant role in determining their level of income. Greater job opportunities can usually be found in areas that have been traditionally underserved by the medical community, such as inner cities and rural areas, but major metropolitan areas tend to pay higher wages, according to the BLS. Registered nurses at all educational levels, including advanced practice nurses with advanced degrees, who worked in California had the highest mean annual wages in the country at $85,080 as of May 2009, according to the BLS. PayScale.com place the median annual wage for registered nurses with a BSN in California at $77,730 as of March 2011.
Specialty
The type of specialty a registered nurse with a BSN pursues can have a significant impact on her earnings. A registered nurse with a BSN who works as a staff RN may expect to earn an annual wage of $52,750 according to NursingPrograms.com. Those working as school nurses earned lower wages at $37,867 per year, while those working as a director of nursing earned $71,619 per year.
Considerations
New employment opportunities for registered nurses should expand by 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS. While job opportunities should be excellent for registered nurses from all educational backgrounds, the BLS suggests RNs who hold a BSN are more likely to be considered for advanced positions in administration, research, teaching or consulting. RNs who wish to pursue a career as an advanced practice nurse must typically complete a bachelors degree as well as an advanced degree at the masters or doctorate level.
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